So, what the heck, I think I'll create a list of my favorite albums (or CD's or records or whatever you call them) of the year.

1. Jens Lekman-Oh You're So Silent, Jens: Why haven't I heard of this guy before? Oh wait, I had heard him and even saw a video a year ago, but I wasn't really feeling it at the time. Now. Holy Cow. I have listened to this CD like 100 times in the past 3 weeks. His lyrics are so on. They're full of humor, but at the same time covered in that special, summer-night-greatest time ever-tender-love feeling. Example: I had a friend who was slighty overweight, that means fat-ass in the 7th grade. I still remember the steamy changing room, where they beat him black and blue, yeah they beat him black and blue. But, it's hard to stay mad, when there is so much beauty. An open window, someone plays tutti frutti. That makes me feel so sad, but just full of love at the same time. The other thing that really gets me is his use of samples. I don't think I have ever heard anyone use them in such a way. Whereas most people use old, obscure samples and generally ones that have a "hip hop" feel, Jens ignores that. He samples Christmas songs, 80's pop, Calvin Johnson, whatever. Also, instead of the samples being the base for the song, he uses them in random parts and layers them just like another instrument. Best Album of 2005 for sure, and maybe of all-time.

2. Final Fantasy-Has a Home!!!!!: Violins! or is it a Viola?! It's nice whatever it is. This guy can write a good pop song. I also love that the reason he started playing violin was to impress his crushes. In 7th grade, before I played an instrument, I used to fantasize about the day I'd get my guitar and how awesome I'd be (how wrong I was). As soon as I got it I was going to start a punk band and we'd play a school talent show and I'd impress every girl in our school and they'd all swoon over me. I did start a band. That's as far as that fantasy went. Good album.

3. The Books-Lost and Safe: These guys have released 3 of my favorite albums ever all in a row. More untraditional samples. If America was going to make a movie about itself, it would hire the Books.

4. Sufjan Stevens-Illinois(e): I don't love this as much as Michigan, but Sufjan is one of the best songwriters out there (period)

5. Why?-Elephant Eyelash: He's one of the only MC's/Singer/Rapperguy who's lyrics boggle my mind. What the heck is he talking about it? Then, when it clicks you think he is a word wizard.

6. Hot Chip-Coming On Strong: This just came out here, though it's been released in europe for a year, so I think it counts. This is my party record of the year. This album made me want to buy more synthesizers.

7. Domotic-Ask For Tiger: The whole Active Suspension label is pushing electronic music so much further. Such a creative, colorful album. This is the best fusing of electronic/glitch/noise and pop, maybe ever. Check out his website for real, it's sweet.

8. Fog-10th Avenue Freakout: "You know what they say about doing laundry on your birthday/ salt stains on your jacket from brushing against the car". I haven't sung one lyric over and over in my head so much then that one.

9. Patrick Wolf-Wind In The Wires: The guy loses some points because of his recent, very dramatic, very cheesy music video. Still the guy lived in a lighthouse after he ran away from home. Totally cool.

10. Jamie Lidell-Multiply: I haven't listened to it in awhile...but it was another great summer album.

Others
Coco Rosie-Noah's Ark
Antony and The Johnsons-I Am a Bird Now
Lucky Dragons-Nortenas/A Sewing Circle
B. Fleischman-The Humbucking Coil
Lippok and Morgernstern-Tesri
Mount Eerie-No Flashlight
YACHT-MEGA
Architecture In Helsinki-In Case We Die

Total Disappointments:
Caribou-Milk Of Stuff
Four Tet-Something I Can't Remember
Mount Eerie-11 Old Songs

What about YOU!